Ruiz-Rojas sent to prison for cocaine

COLDWATER — Branch County Circuit Judge Bill O’Grady exceeded Michigan Sentencing Guidelines to send Alexjandro Ruiz-Rojas, 32, to prison for 16 months to four years for possession of cocaine.

This will give U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) time to prepare for Ruiz-Rojas’ deportation after he is released from prison.

O’Grady said d his departure from a recommended county jail sentence was “based on (Ruiz-Rojas’) illegal status.”

Agents from Southwest Enforcement Team (SWET) of the Michigan State Police targeted Ruiz-Rojas in February 2010 after reports he was selling cocaine from his Coldwater area home. An undercover agent made a purchase of 6.9 grams for $75.

There was an interpreter in court for sentencing even though Ruiz-Rojas appeared to understand the proceedings. He made no comment.

Ruiz-Rojas was not arrested until this year while an investigation into his possible Mexican gang connections in the region continued.

For the last five years Ruiz-Rojas had been illegally working at manufacturing jobs in the area.